When the local derby between Bristol Rovers and Swindon Town needed a moment of magic to break the deadlock, Kane Thompson-Sommers was there to produce it.
One of nine January additions, the midfielder joined Yusuf Akhamrich and Kofi Balmer in scoring a superb first goal in the blue-and-white quarters, with the 25-year-old driving from the halfway line before whipping a precise effort across the goal and into the bottom corner.
Nevertheless, it was not enough to win the contest for the Gas, with Ollie Palmer's first-time finish levelling the score with 30 minutes left to play. With chances at both ends, neither side could find a winner.
In what was Rovers' first point on the road since a victory over Shrewsbury Town on New Year's Day, Thompson-Sommers took the positives out of the performance, but also felt his side did enough to come away with a win.
Kane, the points are shared here at Swindon today. How do you reflect on that?
"I would say that it is tough at the minute because we feel like we have done enough to win the game, especially going into half-time, we were in a good position to win the game. I think if you reflect, then it is a decent point to take, but it feels disappointing; that is the main feeling right now.
"I think we deserve three points, we should have taken three points, we had the chances to take three points, and obviously, we conceded a goal that we think is sloppy, but we will obviously take the positives from it and move forward to next week."
After a quiet start to the contest, you lit it up with a fine goal. How do you reflect on the goal that you scored?
"Yeah, it was a really scrappy start, I think a bit cagey between both teams, being a local derby and stuff. But I had to just be patient and just wait so I could get into the game, and then I think it was Ellis who took a quick free kick to me, and I though just let me go at it, go towards the goal and see what I can create, and thankfully I scored my first goal for Bristol Rovers, and it was a great feeling especially in such a big, momentous game – it felt great."
When you picked up the ball, there weren't a lot of options around you. Was there only one option in your head, though, to make a shooting opportunity?
"Yeah, I don’t think anyone was ahead of me at the time, so I just thought, let me just take it on myself, see if I can cut in and score as I did."
Do you feel like you are growing with every Rovers game, you know, in the blue-and-white quarters as well, in confidence, especially?
"Yeah, definitely, I would say my performances have picked up every game since I have been here. I found it a bit tough at the start; I will admit that.
"The coaching staff warned me just to get used to the way of playing, the style of players, but as I have settled in, I think that I have got better and better as the weeks have gone on, and yeah, now it just feels great putting on the shirt and playing. The support today was unbelievable, and we just want to keep impressing and keep putting points on the board, and today we will take the point, and move on to next week."
You mentioned the coaching staff. How have Steve and Paul Raynor helped you in this period as well?
"They have always been very upfront with me, and I have a good relationship with both of them. I put it on myself, but for other reasons maybe it was tough for me settling in just at the start, but they have always been top communicating with me and stuff, I think they have been great for me, they have helped me, so to get back into the team and play how I know I am capable of, and I could not have done it without their support."
Yeah, looking into the second half of this game, it felt like Rovers were on top, but one chance missed at the other end, and the others they scored for Swindon, is that really what the Derby is about? Anything can happen...
"Yeah, I think the second half was more exciting than the first half, it was a bit end to end, we really wanted to win it, we were not happy just staying 1-0 so we kept going for it, but obviously that’s the way it fell, we missed a chance, and then we conceded from a set play which is disappointing but we can see our intent was to go and win the game.
"I think even after they scored, we were still on top and we still wanted to win the game, and I think we still had the better chances in the game, to be honest, but yeah, in a Derby anything can happen, and today the points were shared."
You mention the points being shared there, maybe a few weeks ago, getting a point away from home, everyone would be up in delight, but there is a sense of disappointment that it could have been and maybe should have been more today as well?
"Yeah, there is definitely a sense of disappointment, but I think when the dust settles, and you look at everything, getting a point away from home, especially in the position we are, every point is going to matter. So, if you don’t win the game, then you certainly can't lose it. Every point could be massive at the end of the season. We will take the point, and we will dust ourselves off and go again next week."
And what about the gas heads at the away end, 2300 of them cheering you on?
"Yeah, they were sensational today, I think it was great, especially being away from home, the fact that we brought so many fans and I feel like they were just as loud or louder than the home support today, and I can feel, me and the lads can feel the support today from the very start, they were like our 12th man out there so thanks to all the Gasheads that travelled and cheered us on really, we are going to need you till the end of the season."
And finally, a week's break, but it ends with a home game as well. How does it feel to get back in front of The Mem crowd, where you have been so strong?
"We have had great home form as of late, and The Mem the atmosphere has been great every time I've played there and I think that is why our home form has been so strong so yeah we are going to work hard this week and we can't wait to be back out and hopefully everyone comes and supports us just how they have done so far, yeah I am looking forward to it."
